Discussions with a Parent or Guardian?

It seems each semester the number of calls from parents or guardians to advisors is on the rise. Advisors may be wondering what they may discuss with others about a student’s grades, attendance, or status at the college. In short, the answer is nothing. Under the rules of FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), faculty and staff at the college are not to discuss these issues with a parent (or anyone other than the student him or herself). Some students will have notified the registrar that they wish to allow faculty, advisors, and other college staff to discuss these protected details with designated persons. Unless you have checked with the registrar and learned that the student has approved release of information to the parent, you need to assume that the student has not given this permission.

For more details about FERPA and how it applies to student’s information, view this file: FERPA